Monday, May 02, 2011

A member of the Russian government said the NATO air strike that killed Libyan leader's family members was evidence that the coalition body was not protecting civilians.

It was reported in various media sources that Muammar Gaddafi's youngest son, Saif al-Arab, and three grandchildren under age 12 were killed in an attack in one of his houses, said Reuters.

Konstantin Kosachev told Interfax news agency on Sunday, "(It is) a clear confirmation of the indiscriminate use of force by the anti-Libyan coalition.

"More and more facts indicate that the purpose of the anti-Libyan coalition is to physically destroy Gaddafi."

Caracas and Moscow both criticized Saturday night's attack that killed four family members of the dictator.

UK's David Cameron stressed that the coalition was acting within the bounds of what the UN Security Council allowed them to do, said the Guardian.

NATO's commander Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard said, "All Nato's targets are military in nature and have been clearly linked to the Gaddafi regime's systematic attacks on the Libyan population and populated areas. We do not target individuals.

"I am aware of unconfirmed media reports that some of Gaddafi's family members may have been killed. We regret all loss of life, especially the innocent civilians being harmed as a result of the ongoing conflict. NATO is fulfilling its UN mandate to stop and prevent attacks against civilians with precision and care – unlike Gaddafi's forces, which are causing so much suffering."

The prime minister of Russia Vladimir Putin had earlier criticized the imposition of no-fly zone in Libya. He said the NATO went over the limits of the UN resolution to protect civilians.

Many doubt the veracity of the news. A tweet from Reuters said: "UK foreign minister says has no verification that one of Gaddafi's sons killed in NATO attack."